12 Best Types of Pool Water Features You Should Know About

The appearance, motion and sound of water never fail to engage the senses. The sight of moving water is both fascinating and delightful. Water in motion is relaxing to hear, comforting to touch and helps restore the mind, body and spirit.

It’s no wonder, then, why people love having a pool water features, such as a fountain or waterfall, along with their pool. This kind of water-on-water experience is both alluring and magical, as a water feature can serve as the focal point of the pool area.

As with any feature or element in your property, you’ll want to have water features that seamlessly combine to complement the architectural style and overall look of your home. Of course, it should also fit your budget and reflect your personal preferences.

If you’re taking the route that’s proven quite popular in Australia — that is, getting a water feature added to your pool area — you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll discuss everything water feature-related and share the top 12 best pool water features you should know about.

Aesthetic benefits

Whatever the shape and size of your swimming pool, it’s always guaranteed to be a great home addition and an attractive element of your backyard. It’s the place where you can spend time with your family, relaxing, getting some exercise, or simply enjoying each other’s company. A family-sized swimming pool is also ideal for entertaining guests.

This is why integrating a water feature into your pool is always a great idea. A water feature, such as a fountain or a waterfall, will work to make your pool even more attractive. Moreover, the pool water feature can also serve as a distinct part of your landscape, giving it a singular feel. And, depending on the design of your water feature, it has the potential to make your pool seem luxurious, classy, whimsical, magical or romantic.

In fact, the inherently pleasant effect of water features has made them a popular choice among resorts, malls and restaurants looking to make a desirable first and last impression. A lot of celebrity homes also feature these as part of their overall property aesthetics.

Even the value of your property can increase with a well-appointed pool water feature, as there’s no denying how it can add a touch of sophistication to your backyard.

You can have a water feature installed within the pool area or at the poolside as an extended “wet zone.” You can also have one that functions to demarcate sections of your pool, such as between the adult and kids’ area, or between the spa and pool.

It’s always best to work with a professional pool designer to ensure that the aesthetic quality of the water feature you choose works to its best advantage.

Health benefits

One of the advantages of swimming pool water features that’s closely tied to the functionality of a swimming pool is relaxation. Most people enjoy floating or swimming a few laps in their pool after a stressful day at work. The sensation of warm water enveloping one’s body helps relieve stress and induce relaxation. Aside from this, simply spending time being in the water can help alleviate anxiety, lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality.

A pool water feature can reinforce the calming and reinvigorating effects of spending time in one’s pool. Just try looking intently at a fountain or waterfall, a bubbling spring or the sea. The water forms may not be the same, but the overall beneficial effects are similar.

The sight and sound of living, moving water enhances the calming effect of being in a pool. Water features also add a natural quality to the swimming experience as they mimic the movement and appearance of natural bodies of water. They can help induce relaxing daydreams or visualisations of being somewhere peaceful, quiet and far away from the chaos of city life.

If you have kids, pool waterfall features such as bubblers and deck jets can add an element of fun if you put one or more in your pool. Who doesn’t love pretending to take a shower in the rain, or getting wet under a waterfall? With a pool waterfall feature, you’ll have a tough time calling your kids away from the pool.

This means the whole family would be encouraged to stay outdoors and engage in water fun. You’ll also be getting fitter and having more opportunities to grow closer as a family. These things can all add to your general sense of wellbeing.

Cost considerations

Although pool water features do come at a cost, depending on what type you’re getting, they are far from being extremely expensive. It helps to think of pool water features as an investment in your property as they can enhance its value. Just make sure they are well-maintained along with the rest of your property. You can also highlight your water features at night by using LED spotlights and string lights that can add to the magical atmosphere in your backyard.

When it comes to budgeting, you need to remember that how much you spend depends largely on the kind of water feature you want. Simple water features are priced at around $2,000, while a more intricate work of art can cost around $8,000 or more. Size is also a factor that will figure into the final price of a water feature.

Types of water features

It’s important to know about the variety of water features you can choose from, as doing so can help you select the best water features for your pool and backyard.

Prior to shopping around, make sure you talk to a professional pool designer to ensure there will be no logistical complications — especially if your pool is already built. They can also assist you if you have a particular theme or style in mind. You can trust them to tell you if the water features you want clash with the pool and the rest of your landscape.

To give you a fair idea of the various water features around, here’s a comprehensive list:

Bubblers: Also called “gushers,” bubblers are small jets set in the floor of a shallow part of the swimming pool. These shoot streams of water that bubble up and gurgle and whose height can be adjusted.

Deck jets: Usually referred to as “pencil jets” or “laminars,” these water features shoot up narrow streams of water into the pool. These are installed in the pool decking and can be illuminated with colourful LED lights.

Fountains: Among the most popular water features in use, fountains come in different styles, including floating and spillovers.

Mist: Used to add drama and excitement, fog and misting systems create a curtain of mist and cool the pool substantially well (up to 30 degrees).

Rain curtains: This type of water feature is usually mounted on an overhang, a pergola roof or a wall. It can be narrow or wide and releases a curtain of seemingly infinite water.

Sconces: A popular type of wall water feature, this decorative element pours out narrow streams of water and can come in various shapes and styles.

Scuppers: A scupper is a type of wall water feature (though some may be attached to a pedestal) that comes in the form of a slot or spout.

Sheer descent: Resembling a thin sheet of glass and usually mounted flush with a top surface, a sheer descent is actually a type of waterfall that forms an arc while flowing away from the pool wall.

Spillover spa: This is a customised spa that’s raised above the swimming pool and lets the water trickle or spill into the pool.

Statuary: A popular fixture in mansions and cottages, a statuary can appear as a statue of an animal or person, with water bubbling out or shooting a stream.

Waterfall: A very popular water feature, a waterfall is built with rocks or boulders (fake and real) and can form part of a natural-looking pool or pond.

Water wall: This is another type of waterfall where water spills out of a horizontal spout emerging from a decorative or tiled wall close to the pool.

The perfect time to install a pool water features

If you want a pool with a water feature, there’s no better time to install it than when the pool is being built. But if you’re not ready to commit yet, you can always ask your pool builder to include infrastructure that will allow for the seamless addition of a water feature later on. Doing this gives you time to plan, work on a specific design and select the best type of water feature for your pool. You can also use the time to start saving until you’re ready to embark on your water feature installation project.

If you’re already thinking of adding a water feature to your pool or plan on getting a pool with a water feature for your backyard, you can always consult Composite Pools.

We have a team of professionals you can talk to about all your pool-building needs.

We specialise in building high-quality Compass fibreglass pools and are a locally owned and operated family based company servicing Central & Far North QLD. We service from Bundaberg on the Wide Bay coast through to Cairns in the Far North. Our QBCC No. is 15078393, Company name is Jelkall Pty Ltd.